6 NEWS State reputation at risk A KEY South Australian political leader has labelled Wednesday’s Liberal party announcement that it will hold a comprehensive parliamentary inquiry into mining sustainability in the South East if elected as “raising the white fl ag”. Mineral Resources Minister Tom Koutsantonis yesterday issued a statement warning that the Liberals risked undermining South Australia’s international reputation as a safe destination for resource investment. Mr Koutsantonis said remarks by senior Liberals including Martin Hamilton-Smith and Mitch Williams were code for providing farmers veto over exploration and development in the resources sector. “You can’t tell industry you support world’s best regulation for energy and resources and then undermine that message by offering greater input by farmers into licence approvals,” he said. “The hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in this state’s resources sector has been built on a solid foundation of bipartisanship on South Australia’s world’s best regulations.” Mr Koutsantonis said “shifting the goal posts” would put the state’s hard-earned international reputation at risk. “Mr Hamilton-Smith, Mr Williams and Liberal candidate for Mount Gambier Troy Bell have been promising they will allow local communities to determine whether licences are approved. “By bowing to the vocal Lock the Gate lobby, the Liberals are walking away from a bipartisan approach that has put South Australian at the centre of this nation’s energy revolution. “In a bid to placate a national scare campaign, the Liberals are offering to politicise a decision making process that already requires public consultation and high environmental standards. “Either you support the world’s best regulation we have in South Australia or you surrender meekly to emotion and scare campaigns.” In 2012, combined expenditure on minerals and petroleum exploration rose to a record $602.6m. VISIT US ONLINE borderwatch.com.au MAKING THE CALL: Shadow Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy Martin Hamilton-Smith joined Mount Gambier Liberal candidate Troy Bell on a whirlwind visit to the Blue Lake city yesterday. Mining solution sought Libs stand by inquiry if swept into power at election KEN BR brett@ KENNEDY RETT brett@tbw.com.au Government will never approve any project that will put the water table at risk, according to Shadow Minister for Mineral Resources and Energy Martin Hamilton-Smith. The statement comes a day after the Liberal Party announced it would seek a comprehensive parliamentary inquiry into the sustainability of mining in the South East. Mr Hamilton-Smith made a whirlwind visit to the region yesterday to join Mount Gambier Liberal candidate Troy Bell for key appearances. Speaking to The Border Watch, Mr Hamilton-Smith said the proposed action would give the state leaders the knowledge to progress on the issue. “What clearly needs to happen is a chance for both sides to present facts,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said. “The process will be open and bipartisan and clearly not contrived by anyone else. “We are going further than a moratorium, this will establish the facts. “We are trying to solve the problem, not put it on hold.” Mr Hamilton-Smith said the Liberals would call on a standing committee to conduct the investigation, which would be asked to attend hearings in the South East. “Anyone and everyone who has a concern will have a chance to put forth their opinion,” he said. “Let’s have all the science and facts on the table.” Mr HamiltonSmith said he would like the process to be completed by the end of the calendar year, but a 12-month period was more realistic. “We have come to a resolution that we will not allow any energy extraction to proceed if the risks can’t be managed. bring and they deserve to be listened to,” he said. STATE ELECTION 2 9 2014 “Everything in this district hinges on the water table. “The companies are confi dent there will be no risk, while others are concerned there will be, so let’s fi nd out.” Mr Hamilton-Smith said in addition to Mr Bell’s lobbying, he had received letters on the issue. “Similarly to those opposing it, there are people who support the jobs and opportunities it will “If this is a safe industry for the South East, young workers may not need to leave the area to work in the energy sector. “We all want prosperity and we never want it to be one industry that puts the other at risk. “The South East is going to be critical to economic renewal for the state, particularly in adding value to primary production.” Mr Hamiltons a i d Smi t h industries such as meat, forestry and wine were among others that a Liberal government would look to protect and enhance. DAYS TO GO “That is going to be a very important part working forward,” he said. However, a South East advocate - who has sat on the Round Table For Unconventional Gas Projects in South Australia - said she would not be happy with the Liberal pledge unless she could be involved in setting the terms of reference. “We need experts in the fi eld from around Australia who I am prepared to gather in to give evidence,” she said. “I believe the evidence I have read shows how potentially destructive this industry could be to the agricultural, tourism and export sectors of the South East.” Ms Daw said it was too early to tell what impact the Liberal announcement would have. “First of all the Liberals have to win, they haven’t been elected as yet,” she said. “Then they have to adhere to their promise and this process has to be done in such a way that there is fair input from the experts.” Meanwhile, Ms Daw welcomed Wednesday’s announcement by Independent Senator for South Australia Nick Xenophon that he would seek Commonwealth legislative amendments to protect water resources from contamination linked to fracking. “It has all the same environmental issues as coal seam gas as far as risk to aquifers is concerned,” she said. “They all have the same health issues, earthquake issues and climate change issues.” Ms Daw said the support of Mr Xenophon was pleasing. “I believe that he will have a massive amount of people across Australia behind him,” she said. “We are at the fi rst step and we can’t assume we have won anything until we have actually closed the door.” PERCY STREET, MOUNT GAMBIER PHONE (08) 8724 9150 www.oatmill.com.au ENDLESS LOVE (M) 2hrs 10 mins Fri, Sat & Tues: 10.05am, 4.30pm & SESSION TIMES: FRIDAY 14TH FEBRUARY TO WEDNESDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2014 MANDELLA: LONG WALK TO 6.50pm Sun, Mon & Wed: 12.50pm, 5.30pm & 8.20pm ARE WE OFFICIALLY DATING (MA15+) 1hr 45 mins NO ID NO ENTRY Sat, Tues: 12.25pm, 2.45pm & 9.20pm Fri: 12.25pm & 2.45pm Sun& Mon:10.10am, 2.10pm & 6.10pm Wed 10.10am (Cry Baby Sesson) : 2.10 & 6.10pm LAST VEGAS (M) 2hrs Fri, Sat & Tues: 10.15am, 2.20pm & 6.30pm Sun, Mon & Wed: 12.00pm, 4.05pm & 6.15pm THE RAILWAY MAN (M) 2hrs 10 mins Sat & Tues: 7.00pm Fri: 9.00pm Sun, Mon & Wed: 10.20am 6 - The Border Watch, Friday, February 14, 2014 FREEDOM (M) 2hrs 35mins Fri, Sat & Tues: 10.25am & 8.40pm Sun, Mon & Wed: 7.50pm THE WOLF ON WALL STREET (R) 3hrs 10mins NO ID NO ENTRY Fri, Sat & Tues: 3.10pm Sun, Mon & Wed: 2.45pm PHILOMENA (M) 1hr 50 mins Fri, Sat & Tues: 1.10pm Sun, Mon & Wed: 12.40pm FINAL WEEK ROBOCOP (M) 2hrs 10 mins Fri, Sat & Tues: 12.25pm, 4.40pm & 9.10pm Sun, Mon & Wed:10.30am, FINAL WEEK 3.10pm & 8.10pm FINAL WEEK Valenti ne’sDay 2 tickets 1 Large Pepsi 1 Bucket Popcorn 2 choc top icecreams ams $35 Combo a Valid 14 February Only 639756 635196